Ioffe, Yulia; (2024) Forcible Transfers of Ukrainian Children: Indoctrination as a Tool of Russia’s Imperialism. German Yearbook of International Law (In press).

Text Ioffe_Forcible Transfers of Ukrainian Children- Indoctrination as a Tool of Russias Imperialism Ioffe 20 Jan 2024.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 3 July 2025. Download (510kB)

Abstract

In the wake of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, reports have surfaced, indicating the systematic and widespread forcible transfers of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories to Russia. Mounting evidence suggests Russia's efforts to indoctrinate these children and erode their national identity are reminiscent of historical colonial practices. Although not unique to Russia, forcible child transfers have historical precedents globally. Understanding this history is essential for comprehensively addressing genocide, particularly, as defined in Article II (e) of the Genocide Convention. This article explores the classification of forcible child transfers as a form of genocide, with a focus on the Ukrainian context. Examining the impact of colonial powers on the drafting of the Genocide Convention, this article sheds light on the limitations of international law, particularly the law of genocide, which hinders the legal challenge of colonial violence within its framework. It analyses the challenges in establishing genocidal intent for forcible transfer of children and the role of indoctrination in facilitating the biological absorption of one group into another. Additionally, it provides a historical overview of Russia's colonial practices, drawing parallel with present-day transfers. The article concludes by examining the ongoing forcible transfers of Ukrainian children to Russia, highlighting Russia's policies on re-education and military training as tools to dissolve the national Ukrainian identity and absorb Ukrainian children into the Russian population.

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